Panthers vs Giants pre-season game

Those of you who know me well, know how obsessed with football I am. And you same people know my love for the Manning brothers. I grew up in TN watching Peyton play, so most of my life, football has revolved around the Mannings. Well, Saturday afternoon Brian calls and said, so guess what? I was given 2 club seat tickets to the game tonight! I was like, huh, are you for real? I'm actually gonna see Eli Manning play LIVE? Yes! And just to specify, club seats mean you are high rollin ha! We had awesome seats, plus we got to go inside to the lounges and eat, drink, listen to a band, and watch the game on the 47 big screens they have! It was awesome! We were on the Giant's side, so I got to see Eli the whole time. We were a little worried about the rain, b/c it started to rain when we got to Charlotte, but once we got into the stadium, the rain let up for good! My prayers were answered and I was one happy girl! I am a big Panthers fan, and this game is always hard for me b/c I'm happy for either team when they win, but sad for the team that lost. The Panthers and Cam Newton looked amazing. It was cool being there for Cam's debut and seeing first hand how good of a fit he looks to be in the Panthers organization. Derek Anderson also looked really good, so I think it's safe to say we have ourselves a QB this year! Even though I had just got back into town from NC a few hours earlier, only to turn around and drive back, and B had been working a week straight, we had a blast. It was a much needed date! Thanks Bri for getting the tickets, I had a great time :))

Eli calling the play

Cam Newton's 1st huddle in the NFL

                                          

Cam's 1st play

Eli (#10)

Our half-time entertainment. They were really good!

Part of the lounge

End of the game

Charlotte

NC Trip

The Thursday after I got back from Fl, the boys and I headed to NC to visit my SIL Helen and her girls. We had so much fun. Once we got there, the boys were in rare form ha! They both showed off and soaked up every ounce of the girls affection. Brooks went with Helen to her gym while she had to work, and C and I took Anna to soccer practice. We swung by and picked up Mia from Tae Kwon Do, and headed home. Then, as Mia and I were playing with C, he decided he would take 3 STEPS! Yes, he walked and I had a witness ha! We were so excited, but once everyone else got home, he wouldn't do it. The next day we headed out to Tanglewood park and met up with some very close friends of theirs, Sarah and John and their daughter Darby. She is just too cute and looks just like Boo from Monster's Inc, which coincidentally, is who she is going to be for Halloween! Brooks had fun chasing her at the duck pond and C enjoyed watching the pretty girl. Afterward we went to the big steam train for B to play on. He is obsessed with trains, so he was telling us what everything was called. C had fun climbing around with his Como. Then we headed back and Helen and I got ready to have our sisters night out! We went downtown and met up with 2 of her close friends. We ate and drank wine and had gelato! After that, Helen and I went to a bar to watch some live music and chat. It was much needed sister time :) We left the next morning and were sad to leave, but excited they'll be in town this weekend for Anna's soccer!

B and Darby

Helen and C

This pic and the next describe the boys personalities exactly!

C wants to jump over the side; B was scared and said "no C, you will fall!"

C with Mia

Helen and I before our sisters night out

Girls Weekend :)

The first weekend in August I went back down to St. Petersburg, Fl to visit my best friend Leanna...alone! It was my birthday present and another very much needed weekend away. Leanna and her fiance', Eddie, came one night the week before to celebrate their engagement and to visit with the boys. We had a great time celebrating on the actual day they got engaged (Eddie knew she would want to celebrate with her bff :) and I, being the MOH, was already getting down to the business of planning!! Then the next weekend I flew down and it was just us 2. We did A LOT of relaxing and wedding planning! We found her dress, the bridesmaids dress and all accessories for everyone. Plus we decided on EVERYTHING! I'd say that was a successful trip :) It was a much needed 3 days for us both...with her working full time and me staying at home with the kids full time, we needed some sisterly fun. We had a blast drinking wine, ordering in food, going to the beach, riding in her jeep with the top off for the 1st time, laughing until we cried (on several occasions!) and finding the dress of her dreams! I can't wait until October for the wedding! Love you sister and thanks for the best weekend !!

The night Leanna got engaged!!

Headed to the beach with the top down!

11 months

C is 11 months today! Where has the time gone? I feel like I'm always saying that in every post, but it's just how I feel. Everytime I blink he's a whole month older. This is officially his last month in babyhood :( He will be toddling around very soon and I'm both excited and sad. I'm sad b/c he's our last baby and I'm trying to soak up every ounce of babyness I can. But I'm excited for him to grow up with B and be able to play more with him. I am now starting to plan his first birthday party which just seems crazy to me!

C is now only drinking from a cup. We cut the bottle out a few weeks ago! He didn't really seem to mind, as long as he got the milk/juice. He is also eating all table food, with the exception of the times I've needed a quick meal when we are out somewhere. He only has 2.5 teeth, so he can't chew much, but I was told that babies gums are sharp enough to chew just like if he had teeth, so if thats good enough for C, it is for me! He got to the point where he didn't want anymore baby food and was always eyeing our food. He's been eating chicken, peas, fruit, nutrigrain bars, mac n cheese, cheese, every kind of cracker known to man, turkey and ham. That's all he's really tried so far and he's loved it all! I'm thrilled he likes food, unlike his brother who only likes junk and eats like a bird!

He's not walking yet, but he's been randomly standing up on his own in the middle of the room, so I'd say not too much longer! He climbs on everything! If you can climb on it, he's there! He's way more curious than B ever was, so this is all new to me...along with the climbing. He shows no fear and I can see him being the little kid who jumps into the pool w/o a float on (I pray that never happens!)! He's also been playing with B more this month. They roll the ball back and forth and pretty much anything B does, C tries to do.

He's added a few words to his vocabulary. He said "cat" yesterday! He now says, Mama, Dada, Brooks/brother and bird (Br is what it sounds like), Baba, Keke (also a name for our cat), and Hami/Heidi sounds like "hum". About 95% of the time when I say No No and shake my head, he stops what he's doing! (Now if he could teach B to learn that we'd be all good!). Also whenever I'm saying no to someone else, he shakes his head back and forth...it's SO cute!

I'm actually hoping these next few weeks go by slow so I can savor his babyness before he grows up and doesn't want me to snuggle with him! Aw, who am I kidding, B still likes to cuddle every once in a while...that's the good thing about having boys :))

27

Today is my birthday...my 27th. Some might think, wow you're only 27! But to others (like my sister :) they think I'm old ha! The truth is, I feel older than 27. Maybe thats because I got married at 22 and we have 2 kids! I had a wonderful day with my boys. This morning B's K3 teacher, Mrs. Templeton (I prayed B would get her!) came for her visit and got us both pumped for preschool! I also found out that the teachers B had when he was 1 will be the same ones C will have! We spent the majority of the day at home. Then this afternoon we headed over to my mom's house and she cooked us dinner. We had steaks, potatoes, salad, and a very yummy marble cake! My sister Blaire and her boyfriend Uncle Jordan were there (thats what B calls him!) to celebrate with us! Then we headed home and my In-Laws were at our house waiting for us with a birthday present. Love them! I didn't really do anything different today, but I definitely felt special thanks to all my family and friends who wished me a happy birthday. I feel so blessed to have you all in my life and for B and C to have such good friends as well! Tomorrow Brian will be home all day and I get to spend some time with him before I leave Friday for my girls weekend! My birthday present this year is flying down to FL to see my best friend Leanna and spending 3 whole days with her!! Without kids or the hubby. Did I mention the kids ARE NOT going with me :) I am looking forward to this break and being able to sleep in (if my body allows me) and wedding planning with my bestie!! Wish I took some pics today :( Will have to remember to take some tomorrow!

St. Simons Island

This years summer vacation was to St. Simons Island. My parents always take the boys and me on their vacation (I know, how sweet!...and poor Bri never gets to go b/c of work). My family has been to the Island before with my sister for her mission trip. They didn't really get to do much of what was on the island, so they wanted to go back and I was super excited we were going somewhere I've never been! We stayed right in the Pier Village, so it was rare we even had to drive our cars! Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING was right there....the ocean, neptune park (which is a pool/waterpark/playground/putt putt course/light house), the fishing pier, shops and restaurants! We went to the beach and pool/waterpark everyday and B had an absolute blast! I wasn't sure how B would do in the water b/c he's been a little scared of the pool this summer (but has come a long way from May), and the last 3 times he was at the beach was terrified of the ocean. But he was AWESOME!! He was a little unsure of the ocean at first, but I put him down and he LOVE IT! He started jumping waves all by himself and I was one proud Mommy!! He stayed in the ocean for 5 hours straight the first day (we all had to switch off who stayed with him). Then at the pool you can walk into it and it gradually gets deeper and he just walked in all by himself and went to where the water was up to his neck...all w/o a float!! Again, so proud! C wasn't so sure of the ocean at first, but he warmed up to it the second day. He was a real trooper...he didn't ever get enough sleep and stayed up much later than normal, but he really didn't complain that much! I was very happy about this :) B begged to go play in the water or at the park every second of the trip, so that's where we stayed. We didn't get to tour around much, but Mom, Blaire and I made time for some shopping! And we even saw a guy propose to his g/f at the top of the lighthouse! It was SO romantic and sweet :) I wish we could've stayed longer so we could go on some tours of the historic part of the island, but we'll just have to save that for next time.

My mom, C and Me

SO glad we brought the wagon!

Blaire, Mom, Dad, Me, B and C

C looks exactly like Brian here!

Tennessee Trip

This past weekend we went back to TN to visit friends and family. My sister Blaire, the boys and I all left on Friday afternoon and headed straight to Knoxville to visit my Memaw, Aunt Linda, Cousin Rachelle and her son Scottie. It was a great visit, but just too short. We would love to see them more often! C was into everything as usual and B played games with Scottie. This was just the 2nd time they've all seen C, so he was the center of attention (like that bothered him!)

C hanging with my Aunt Linda

Memaw with C

Then we drove to Morristown (about 45 min from knoxville), where I grew up. We stayed with my parents best friends, Gary and Susie. They've always been like family and when I was little I actually thought they were my Aunt and Uncle ha! On Sat morning we got up and went to lunch with one of my best friends, Danielle, and her mom Dianne. Then Danielle's younger sister Deanna was throwing her daughter Kenzie a birthday party at the pool. The last time I saw Kenzie she was 5 weeks old and she just turned 5yrs old on the 6th!! B got to play with her which was pretty cool. Another friend of mine, Kellie was there with her 2 girls Sammie and Lexi and they were just super cute! It was great to get to catch up with old friends and have all the kids play together!

B, Kylie (?), Kenzie, Sammie and Lexi

Danielle (BFF since I was 1!) and C

B checkin out his goodies!

Saturday night Gary and Susie's daughter Lyndsey came over with her 2 girls. She has always been like a big sister to me and this was the 1st time we've gotten together with all 4 kids! Caroline is turning 5 next week and Camdyn is 18 months. They were precious and B and Caroline played GREAT together! Little Camdyn danced around and played with C and I just wanted to take her home with me! We can't wait to get together with them again soon! We had a great weekend and are home to rest this week b/c next week is the beach!!

Caroline and B

Camdyn...Look at those cheeks, SO kissable and pinchable ha!

I just wanted to take her home with me!

Lyndsey and C

The girls had fun playing with C man!

Caroline and C